AUTISM AWARENESS WEEK

Early day motion 1164, tabled 8 May 2003 by Tim Loughton (Conservative). Signed by 121 members.

That this House notes that Autism Awareness Week begins on 11th May; further notes that autism is a social and communication disorder which is thought to affect one in 110 people and cost the economy at least ú1 billion each year; welcomes the Manifesto for Autism produced by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Autism that provides a vision of services and support for autism to be achieved in the next 10 years; further notes that a National Autistic Society report published for Autism Awareness Week demonstrates that people with autism spectrum disorders and their families are still missing out on their rights and entitlements; and calls on the Government to act on the demands within the Manifesto for Autism, giving firm guidance to local authorities and providing them with sufficient support to ensure that people with autism spectrum disorders and their families have the same opportunities as the rest of society.

Signatures by party: Labour 57, Conservative 38, Liberal Democrat 13, Labour/Co-operative 3, Plaid Cymru 3, UUP 3, DUP 2, Scottish National Party 2.